In the latest development in the case, employees at Tata Consultancy Services’ Nashik office have been directed to work from home amid allegations of sexual harassment and religious conversion, officials said on Thursday. “TCS has asked its employees at Nashik station to work from home. The decision has been taken for the convenience and safety of employees,” TCS sources told news agency ANI.
The company has also suspended operations at its Nashik BPO centre, officials added. Meanwhile, Nashik Police have escalated their probe into the allegations, writing to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and state intelligence units.
Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik said the move comes amid social media speculation about possible extremist links or foreign funding, but clarified that no evidence has been found so far. He added that the agencies were approached only to ensure a “comprehensive and coordinated review” of the case.
A complaint filed in February with Nashik City Police triggered a major investigation into alleged sexual harassment and religious coercion at a Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) BPO unit in Nashik. The complaint came from a political party worker, who flagged concerns about a Hindu woman employee. This led police to launch a covert operation inside the office.
Police personnel reportedly went undercover as housekeeping staff and observed workplace interactions for around two weeks. Investigators later claimed they uncovered allegations of sexual harassment and rape, pressure to follow religious practices, and the use of WhatsApp chats and video calls involving a Malaysia-linked preacher. Based on these findings, police filed FIRs and launched a wider probe.
Most complainants are women aged 18–25, earning modest salaries.
Allegations include:
Sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior
Six employees and an assistant general manager have been arrested so far, while another woman accused remains on the run.
Workplace pressure and intimidation
Attempts to influence religious identity
Police also claim some victims were in relationships with accused employees, which later led to rape charges after promises of marriage were allegedly broken.
The case quickly expanded, with:
At least 9 FIRs registered
7 people arrested so far
Accused including team leaders and employees from the company
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is now handling the case. One HR manager is also under investigation, while others are being questioned over their roles.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has stated that it follows a “zero-tolerance policy” on harassment and coercion. The company said it has suspended employees who are under investigation, is fully cooperating with the police, and has initiated internal reviews along with corrective actions. The case has also triggered strong political reactions, with some leaders describing it as a serious instance of workplace misconduct, while others have used more severe terms to characterise the allegations.
